I Really Do Want It
As part of my physical training routine, I run around the mansion grounds. Since it's autumn, the temperature has dropped, making it cooler and easier to run.
Soon, it will get colder, so I really want to make something like a tea bag for easy tea brewing.
Next week, I'm going to the World Tree in the Great Forest, and I wonder if Captain Kyle and the others would appreciate having warm tea there.
Washi paper is produced in other countries and isn’t produced in ours, and I don’t know how to make it.
Is there a substitute, maybe something like nylon?
I would get scolded if I went to Maria’s place without permission, so what should I do?
As I was running, lost in thought, I saw a bandage fluttering in the wind near the medical room of the Knights’ Order.
Bandages are made of gauze, right? Could they be a substitute for nylon?
But cotton products might be expensive. In different worlds, cotton goods tend to be considered luxury items...
Well, I guess I'll ask Raziel.
"The price of new bandages? They're not expensive. Southcourt produces a lot of cotton. Have you thought of something again?" Raziel asked with a sigh.
Ignoring his reaction, I told him about my tea bag idea that I had mentioned before.
"Bandages... wrapping tea leaves in loosely woven gauze... You haven’t given up on this idea, have you?"
I ignored that last remark.
If it works, I’ll need to adjust the amount of tea leaves, but I want to give it a try. Raziel agreed to prepare the materials.
"Young master Reinhardt, I heard you called for me?" A maid, Rosalina, came to my room.
She was the maid who helped with making the baby carriers for Atre and the others.
"I need your help with some sewing. Please come over and take a seat." I said, guiding her to the sofa.
She hesitated, saying she couldn’t sit, but since she would be sewing, I insisted, saying it was an order. Reluctantly, she sat down.
I opened a box containing newly washed, loosely woven bandages, which were packed tightly inside. I took one out and asked her to make ten small drawstring pouches, about three centimeters in size.
Once she completed one pouch, I put a spoonful of tea leaves inside and pulled the string shut, forming a small bag.
A makeshift tea bag was complete.
Just as I was about to use magic to pour hot water into a teacup, Georges stepped in and said, "I'll pour the hot water," bringing some over.
I had almost used magic in front of Rosalina. My control is still inconsistent, and sometimes the water comes out in a rush.
That was close…
After Georges poured the hot water into a teacup, I placed the makeshift tea bag inside, swirled it a few times, and then removed it, but the color was too light.
I tried again, this time letting the tea bag steep longer in another teacup before swirling and removing it. This time, it worked well.
I had forgotten that in my previous life, tea bags extracted flavor quickly, but normally, tea needs to steep for about two to four minutes.
I asked Georges to adjust the amount of tea leaves and requested Rosalina to continue making the drawstring pouches until we ran out of bandages.
Since it was outside her usual duties, I told her I would add extra payment.
She expressed gratitude, saying that ever since the baby carrier project, she had been receiving a separate monthly payment for her idea contribution, which was very helpful.
She smiled and said, "Leave it to me this time as well."
She then asked if other maids who were skilled in sewing could participate, suggesting that they would split the payment among themselves.
Ah… maybe there’s some jealousy among the maids.
I also didn’t know about the separate compensation for the baby carrier project. That must have been Mother's decision.
I agreed but reminded them to ensure that their main duties were not neglected before handing over the box of bandages. I should inform Mother about this, too.
After dinner, in the living room, I had my family use the tea bags to make their own tea.
"I think this could work for herbal teas too. What do you think?" I asked them.
"This could be useful for travel by carriage or for expeditions. Merchants and adventurers might find it valuable."
"If we had these when we went to the Great Forest, it would have been really convenient."
"This might be another project too big for our household alone. Let's involve Big brother Davit in this as well. I just wrote him a letter asking him to visit, so the timing is perfect."
Father, Brother Gerald, and Mother each shared their thoughts.
Wait, this project too?
Mother, I'll leave dealing with Uncle Davit to you.
Well, as long as everyone is happy, I’m satisfied.
What do you think about this chapter?
